The Court of Appeal today overturned the nine-month jail sentence imposed on social activist Hishamuddin Rais for sedition.

The three-member panel led by judge Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat accepted the appeal by Hishamuddin on his sentence.

“This is a unanimous decision; we find no reason to dismiss the appeal on the conviction.

“We find no compelling reason to disturb the decision of the Sessions Court,” Tengku Maimun said in her judgment.

The Sessions Court - which slapped Hishamuddin with a fine of RM5,000 - had applied the correct sentencing, she added.

The judgment was received with applause by Hishamuddin’s many supporters who packed the courtroom today.

Apart from Tengku Maimun, Court of Appeal judges Ahmad Asnawi and Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil were in the panel for today’s decision.

Hishamuddin was sentenced to a nine-month jail term for sedition by the High Court in January after it allowed the prosecution’s appeal for a heavier sentence.

The Sessions Court had previously sentenced him to a fine of RM5,000.

In 2013, Hishammuddin was, together with politicians Tian Chua, Tamrin Ghafar and activists Adam Adli Abdul Halim, Haris Ibrahim and Muhammad Safwan Anang, charged with sedition for their speeches at a forum made on May 13 that year.

Hishamuddin and the others were accused of inciting the public to overthrow the government through street protests after the Barisan Nasional won the general election, although the popular vote was won by the opposition.

'My lawyers made a good job'

Speaking to the media and his supporters after the court’s decision, Hishamuddin thanked his lawyers Ambiga Sreenevasan, Syahredzan Johan and Melissa Sasidaran for ‘doing a good job’ on the case.

“They have made a good job in making (the case) a point of reference for (cases under) the Sedition Act,” he said.

The court, he said, had proven how his speech did not warrant a jail sentence.

“I also want to thank my uncle for being here today,” said Hishamuddin who appeared choked with emotion.

Both the activist’s parents have since passed away.

His lawyers Syahredzan and Ambiga expressed their delight over the Court of Appeal’s decision.

“It’s absolutely crucial that the judiciary steps in to moderate the effect of such a harsh piece of legislation like the Sedition Act,” Ambiga said.

“I'm a little disappointed that they found the speech did offend… but nevertheless, we are very pleased that Hisham didn't go to jail. No one should go to jail for things that they say.”

Hishamuddin’s supporters were contained in their joy after the decision was read in the courtroom, but they threw caution to the wind by chanting ‘Hidup Rakyat, Mansuh Akta Hasutan’ outside the courtroom and all the way to the entrance to the court later.

The activist and his supporters then posed for pictures at the entrance of the Palace of Justice while carrying a banner with Hishamuddin’s face on it with the words ‘Hapuskan Akta Hasutan’.

Apart from fellow notable activists, also present in the court today were Pakatan Harapan chief secretary Saifuddin Abdullah, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, PKR state assemblypersons Elizabeth Wong and Chang Lih Kang, PKR vice-presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar, Tian Chua, Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu, Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, Bersih secretariat member Mandeep Singh and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) leader S Arutchelvan.